Suicides among the suspects, indicted and convicts: an analytical review

The article analyzes the status, dynamics and factors of suicide in the penitentiary system of the Russian Federation among the suspects, accused and convicted persons. It is defined that for 5 years (2012-2016) reduction in suicides reached 17.2% of their total number, and the level of suicides per 1 thousand people for this period decreased from 0.65 in 2012 and 0.66 in 2013 to 0.55 in 2016; the highest level of suicides is observed in prisons and detention centers. We present generalized characteristics of suicide attempters who committed suicides in 2016 choosing two methods - mechanical asphyxia (92.3%) and body cuts (7.7%). The majority of suiciders (79.3%) were convicted, suspected or accused for the most serious (49.2%) and serious (30.1%) crimes. They were typified with emotional instability, tension (66%); irascibility, impulsiveness (40%); selectivity in contacts, aloofness, offishness, caution, distrust, suspicion (26%); sensitivity to criticism, anxiety, feeling of hopelessness and uselessness, pessimism (24%); irritability and aggressiveness combined with lack of confidence and low self esteem (22%). Among the named motives for suicide were: the loss of meaning of life (35%); conflict or breakup with significant people (23%); inadequate mental or physical health (12%); duration of punishment (11%); guilt (8%); conflict with other prisoners (4%); the need to attract attention by demonstrative-blackmailing behavior (3%). Risk factors of suicide in prison were determined as the uncertainty of the situation; authoritarian environment; the loss of control over life events; the denial of contact with family and the shortage of social and psychological support; the feeling of shame for their actions and fear of losing liberty; inhumane aspects of detention in etc. The following factors add up to them while in jail: acquaintance with the criminal case materials, the indictment, the approaching court date or sentencing after conviction, community isolation and placement in a closed environment; regime that ignores individuality, teaches to obey and lacks autonomy; abrupt limitation of opportunities to meet personal needs; changes in usual stereotype; communication with a limited circle of persons and the criminal environment; forced tenure into same-sex social groups, etc. Attention is drawn to the fact that the risk of suicide increases if the suspect, accused or convicted person abused alcohol or used drugs, made a suicide attempt in the past and/or suffers from a mental disorder. The authors reveal a number of drawbacks in service activities that contributed to the suicide completion. It is concluded that to preserve the trend in the annual decrease in suicide rates it is necessary to strengthen the activities of employees in a number of areas, to develop and introduce social-psychological model of suicide prevention in the penitentiary system.